Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The infinity symbol (∞) is a mathematical symbol representing the concept of infinity. This symbol is also called a lemniscate , [ 1 ] after the lemniscate curves of a similar shape studied in algebraic geometry , [ 2 ] or "lazy eight", in the terminology of livestock branding .
The infinity symbol ∞, described as a "sideways figure eight", is unrelated to the digit 8 in origin; it is first used (in the mathematical meaning "infinity") in the 17th century, and it may be derived from the Roman numeral for "one thousand" CIƆ, or alternatively from the final Greek letter, ω.
Cardinal numbers define the size of sets, meaning how many members they contain, and can be standardized by choosing the first ordinal number of a certain size to represent the cardinal number of that size. The smallest ordinal infinity is that of the positive integers, and any set which has the cardinality of the integers is countably infinite.
2. Denotes that a number is positive and is read as plus. Redundant, but sometimes used for emphasizing that a number is positive, specially when other numbers in the context are or may be negative; for example, +2. 3. Sometimes used instead of for a disjoint union of sets. − 1.
The aleph numbers differ from the infinity commonly found in algebra and calculus, in that the alephs measure the sizes of sets, while infinity is commonly defined either as an extreme limit of the real number line (applied to a function or sequence that "diverges to infinity" or "increases without bound"), or as an extreme point of the ...
1698 (perhaps deriving from a much earlier use of middle dot to separate juxtaposed numbers) division slash (a.k.a. solidus ) 1718 (deriving from horizontal fraction bar, invented by Abu Bakr al-Hassar in the 12th century)
Kasner used it to illustrate the difference between an unimaginably large number and infinity, and in this role it is sometimes used in teaching mathematics. To put in perspective the size of a googol, the mass of an electron, just under 10 −30 kg, can be compared to the mass of the visible universe, estimated at between 10 50 and 10 60 kg. [ 5 ]
The absolute infinite (symbol: Ω), in context often called "absolute", is an extension of the idea of infinity proposed by mathematician Georg Cantor.It can be thought of as a number that is bigger than any other conceivable or inconceivable quantity, either finite or transfinite.